The Namibian football association announced on Thursday that the team, which had been training in Ghana this week, has reduced to 23 players for the Africa Cup of Nations finals this month.

Before the deadline on Wednesday, they sent the African Confederation the final roster, which included 11 players who were on the squad the last time Namibia participated in the finals in Egypt in 2019.

Among them are fullback Ryan Nyambe, who played at Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic before joining Derby County this season, and Peter Shalulile, the top scorer for South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

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Namibia, who has never won a game in the championships, will be making their fourth appearance.

“Before we think of outplaying our opponents, we have to outplay our previous performances in the tournament.

“AFCON is our World Cup and our aim is to leave a mark,” said coach Collin Benjamin in a statement.

The tournament in the Ivory Coast begins next weekend, and Namibia’s three Group E matches are against Tunisia, South Africa, and Mali.

On Friday, they play a friendly international match in Kumasi against Ghana.

Nambia AFCON 2023 Full Squad

Goalkeepers:

Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United), Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies), Kamainjanda Ndisiro (African Stars)

Defenders:

Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka), Charles Hambira (African Stars), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Denzil Haoseb (Khomas Nampol), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United), Ryan Nyambe (Derby County), Aprocius Petrus (Liria Prizren)

Midfielders:

Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars), Ngero Katua (UNAM), Marcel Papama, Wendell Rudath (both Jwaneng Galaxy), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City), Prins Tjiueza (Liria Prizren)

Forwards:

Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), Absalom Iimbondi (Khomas Nampol), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)